Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship (Level 6 Degree)

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Holiday allowance

Employee discounts

EAP

Occupational Health

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment in Reading area offers a Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship (Level 6 Degree). This four‑year programme combines university study with hands‑on placements at AWE Aldermaston and/or Burghfield, with a starting salary of £24,500 rising to £26,000 in Year 2.

You will learn precision manufacture, tooling, inspection and data analysis while working in a highly regulated environment focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Interest in how designs, materials, machines, processes and data come together to make something safely
• You enjoy solving practical problems and finding out why something does or does not work.
• You are organised, reliable, and keen to learn from feedback.

Responsibilities

• Develop and understand how products are made safely and accurately.
• Support testing and improvement of manufacturing processes.
• Learn to use digital tools, data and documentation to support engineering tasks.

Skills

Problem solving

Safety focus

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs

A-levels / BTEC

Job description

Job title and apprenticeship level

Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship (Level 6 Degree)

About AWE

AWE We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of ourNATO allies. Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter‑terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world‑class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security. At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique. Be extraordinary at AWE.

About the apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is about developing your interest in how products and parts are made safely, accurately and consistently. You will build your knowledge step by step, learning how designs are turned into real processes, tools and practical solutions used in the workplace. You will combine university study with hands‑on placements at AWE. During the apprenticeship, you will learn how manufacturing engineers support areas such as:

• Precision manufacture
• Fabrication
• Joining Assembly
• Materials processing
• Tooling
• Inspection
• New production capability

Working with teams across design, operations, quality, safety and projects, you will start to understand how different parts of engineering come together to make sure work is completed safely and to the right standard. As you gain confidence, you will take on real engineering tasks with support from experienced colleagues. This could include helping to test or improve manufacturing processes, looking at data, solving practical problems, supporting the development of tools or equipment, and creating clear engineering documents. You will also learn why safety, quality, cost, delivery and sustainability are important in a highly regulated organisation. Manufacturing now uses a lot of digital technology. You may use computer‑aided design and manufacturing tools, digital work instructions, engineering systems and data analysis. You will learn how technology helps teams work accurately, safely and consistently, and why keeping reliable records is so important.

Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship

When you successfully complete your apprenticeship, you could move into one of our engineering teams as a Manufacturing Engineer. The exact role will depend on business need and the skills and interests you develop during your apprenticeship. Future areas could include:

• New product introduction
• Manufacturing system design
• Advanced or digital manufacturing
• Tooling
• Production support or continuous improvement.

You will also continue to be supported as you develop your engineering career, including working towards professional recognition where this is relevant to your role.

Apprenticeship Standard

Manufacturing engineer (ST0025)

About you

• You enjoy solving practical problems and finding out why something does or does not work.
• You work carefully and understand that safety, quality and attention to detail matter.
• You are interested in how designs, materials, machines, processes and data all come together to make something successfully.
• You can communicate clearly, listen to others and work with people in different teams.
• You are organised, reliable, and happy to ask questions, learn from feedback, and keep improving.
• You are interested in technology and how digital tools can help people work more safely, accurately and efficiently.

Additional motivations

• Finding out how something is made and what needs to happen to make it safely and correctly.
• A mix of hands‑on learning, using digital tools, looking at information and solving problems.
• Taking an idea and helping turn it into a safe, repeatable process that works well.
• Learning on real engineering projects while studying towards a fully funded degree.

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Maths, English and a science, technology or engineering‑related subject.
• A level grade C or above in both a Maths‑based subject and a science, technology, engineering or additional Maths‑related subject, or 90+ credits in an Engineering BTEC at Level 3.
• Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31August2027.

Benefits

A starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 in Year2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
• Access to employee discounts portal – everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Location

Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on‑site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on‑site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands‑on support and build valuable connections across the business.

Start Date

1st September 2027

Apprenticeship Duration

4 years plus 6 month End Point Assessment

Employer context

We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award‑winning Skills Academy. What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates. We are always looking for high calibre people to join our team, so why not explore the opportunities we currently have on offer. Whatever stage of your career, AWE is an exciting and challenging environment to develop your skills and achieve your potential.

EEO and diversity statement

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work.

We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work.

We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Security clearance

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.